The Barling Family Connection to Lynsted

Thanks go to Peter Lowe, a family researcher with a particular interest in the Barling and Barlin Family and who has developed a web-site that is well worth visiting for the many links made through that family name around the UK and overseas. Peter arrived at our web site because of the Gravestone Monumental Inscriptions project undertaken by the Society. That project recorded four headstones relevant to the Barling Family.

These resources also illuminate the Vallance and Eve family connections.

Society Additional Findings

Through inspection of newspapers, the Barling Family is reported widely for their roles in and around Lynsted. In particular, the family features in "County Set" reports - these include repeated renewal of Game Hunting Licences and mentions in Faversham Agricultural Show reports where his tenants are frequent 'award winners' (awards were often given for length of service and successful animal husbandry). Although, in 1859, we see the prosecution of one worker for failing to give proper notice to quit his employment. The family's contribution to local fruit production is also recorded in reports of sales in the district as is their interest in livestock production and timber sales.

Throughout the period being researched through newspaper transcription, the Barlings, as landowners, were open to larceny of all kinds from the local petty criminals - this includes prosecution for theft of a dung prong! So it is not surprising to find the head of the Barling family in 1846 acting as one of the two "Overseers" for Lynsted - amongst whose duties it was to provide for and direct delinquents and vagrants to the local poorhouses.

We also see reports of fire-damage to stacks owned by John Barling living in Bumpit Bottom in 1856....

"A very heavy gale of wind was blowing from the S.W. at the time, and in a few minutes after the stack was discovered to be alight, the whole of the farm premises—consisting of two barns, containing a quantity of wheat and barley, cart lodges, with implements, stables, and outbuildings—in Mr. Barling's occupation, the farm premises adjoining the above, in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Ely, and two cottages near, were in one mass of flames, and such was the fierceness of the gale that all attempts to arrest the rapid progress of the fire, either by engines or otherwise, were rendered entirely useless. One of the cottagers, a labourer on the farm, named Seager, having succeded in rescuing his children, at once proceeded to release the horses, intending to return to clear his cottage; but short time as this took, only a few minutes, ere he could regain his cottage his little all was wholly consumed. Mr. Barling and Mr. Ely were insured." (Kentish Gazette)

In contrast to their usual role as upholders of the law and pillars of society, 1877 saw a prosecution and fine for Philip Barling,

"FAVERSHAM COUNTY POLICE COURT. Before J. Hilton, Esq. Mr. Philip Barling, of Lynsted. (in custody) was charged with assaulting Thomas Richard, county court bailiff, while in the execution of his duty on February 6th."

In the same year, Mrs Barling is reported to be injured after her carriage overturned on Bapchild Hill.

In 1879, Mr Philip Barling registered for liquidation of his assets. Quite how that came about is not immediately clear. Whatever the background is, we then see a prosecution of Mrs Barling in 1881 for non-payment of a butcher's bill (George Alfred Filmer). The action was against Mrs Caroline Barling's own assets and income because of the liquidation of Philip Barling's assets. In 1883, Philip Barling was again pursued for outstanding debts, this time regarding groceries obtained through Mr W.J. Read.

If this wasn't enough to contend with in 1883, Philip Barling was prosecuted for breaching a number of legal requirements:

"ARMORIAL BEARINGS. At Sittingbourne Petty Sessions yesterday, Mr Philip Barling, gentleman, of Nouds, Lynsted, was summoned by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue upon three informations - first, for using a carriage without a licence; secondly, for keeping a man-servant without a licence; and, thirdly, for using armorial bearings without a licence. The defendant did not appear, but his solicitor explained that the omission to take out the licences was the result of inadvertence, owing to illness. Mr. Dawes, the Supervisor of Excise, on the other hand, reminded the Bench that defendant was not very long ago convicted of a similar offence. The Bench imposed a fine of £10 and 9s. costs in each case, or a total of £31. 7s." (The Times)

While in liquidation, Philip Barling was later pursued (1892) for owning a number of dogs without licence, but the case was adjourned on the grounds that all his assets and responsibility for them were covered by the liquidation process. He later died after a "long and painful illness" on 3rd February 1897. In July 1901, the whole Nouds estate was auctioned in several lots spread between the parishes of Lynsted, Teynham, Norton, Bapchild, and Doddington.

In September 1903, we learn of the untimely death of Philip Barling's youngest daughter, Violet Eveline Barling (aged 26), who had suffered with diabetes. She and her sister (Ada), were a celebrated "double act" who performed solo and duets on the harp and flute. The two sisters were very close and shared in music, driving and cycling.

"WRITTLE: THE FUNERAL of the late Miss Violet Barling took place on Friday at Lynsted. The coffin was interred in the family grave. There was a large attendance, and the utmost sympathy was shown in the loss of so charming and talented a young lady. The mourners included Messrs. Delamarle, Edward Banks, and Archibald Barling, brother; Miss Emmeline Barling, sister; Mr. W.S.Baker, brother-in-law; Mr Gepp, solicitor to the deceased; Mr. Watson; Mrs and Miss Noble; Mr. and Mrs. Ockerman and family; Mr. Jack Thompson, and many others. Beautiful floral tributes were sent by the brothers and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thompson, Mr. Jack Thompson, Miss Rosie Thompson, Mr. and Mrs, Atherton, the Misses Barling's aunts from Kirkham, the Misses Greet (cousins), Mr. William Greet, Mr. Sidney Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Cowlie and family, Miss Nellie Griffiths, Mrs.Woodhouse, Bertie Norrington, Charlie Brazier, Fitch, the coachman, the servants, Mr Henry Whidix, Mrs Barlow, Mr. and Mrs. Noble and family, and Nurse Muddy." (November 1903, burial reported by Chelmsford Chronicle as both sisters lived in Writtle at the time of Violet's death).

Barlings and Vaccination (born Lynsted, living in Gillingham)

This curious newspaper cutting was discovered by Peter Lowe, who kindly shared it with the Society. Nothing new in the controversy surrounding vaccinations in recent years!

7th September 1907, Rhyl Journal: "TWINS MIXED IN THE BATH
At
Chatham Police-court, Philip Barling, of Gillingham, was summoned for neglecting to have his child vaccinated, and the prosecutor, Mr.F.A.Stignant, told a remarkable story.
He said that a month ago the defendant wrote saying the child was dead, and the case was adjourned for inquiries. It appeared from the register of births that twins were born on April 12, 1904 - Cyril Charles and Archie. The proceedings were in respect to Archie. On searching the register of deaths Cyril was shown to have died on August 19, 1904, and there was no entry of Archie having died at all.
When defendant was communcated with he said, "Oh, yes, it is true Cyril is registered as dead, but in fact Archie died." He explained that they got mixed in the bath; their ribbons, which were tied on to show which was which, got changed. Neither of the children had been vaccinated, and it was obvious there was an attempt on defendant's part to avoid vaccination.
The justices' clerk said defendant endorsed the summons, "Archie Barling is dead and buried at Maidstone. I would sooner he was dead than undergo the infection of vaccination."
Barling did not now appear, and the Bench in his absence made an order for Archie to be vaccinated within a fortnight."

World War 1 - Charles Barling

We also have later material relating to Charles Barling's war experience in the First World War. Thankfully, he was one of those that survived. That material will be published on-line as part of our contribution to commemorating those who went to war from Lynsted and Greenstreet.